The Herald Democrat, CO

Today’s Herald Democrat, serving Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, is a compilation of the earliest Leadville newspapers, including the Reveille, the Chronicle, the Herald and the Democrat. On Oct. 21, 1879, the Daily Herald published its first edition. The Democrat was started in January 1880. C. C. Davis consolidated the ownership of the Chronicle, Herald and Democrat in 1886. On July 25, 1986, the newspaper was purchased by Arkansas Valley Publishing Company, owned by publisher Merle Baranczyk. March 31, 2023, the newspaper was purchased by O'Rourke Media Group.

Today the Herald Democrat continues to serve the Leadville/Lake County community with a Thursday publishing schedule. News is available 24/7 on our website www.leadvilleherald.com, updates, specials and breaking news can also be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Special editions include: The Leadville/Lake County Heritage Guide; the Best of Leadville; Discover the Heart of Colorado; Upper Arkansas Valley Cycling Guide; the Central Colorado Fishing Guide; Rocky Mountain Home & Garden; and seasonal Winter, Summer and Real Estate Guides.

Since 1998, Herald staffers have earned more than 75 awards for writing, advertising, photography and design from the Colorado Press Association. In 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017, Editor Marcia Martinek received Golden Dozen Awards for outstanding editorial writing from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. In 2015 she received the First Amendment Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.